Page 65 of The Substitute

“We are not married under the constitution!” Teddy screams.

I turn to ask Teddy, “So your shower is free then?” Do I plan to actually go use his shower? No, but I might get him riled up enough over it to smile.

“Are you married another way?” Dad’s interest is piqued now.

“Hey!” Rhys shouts. “Tobi no!”

Teddy’s clothes are piled on the counter next to me, so I dig through them and find his keys. Honestly, I’m surprised Rhys lets him have a set of keys. I’m sure he loses them every other day.

“Thanks for these!” I hold them up to give them a little shake and back out of the room.

“Don’t forget your safe phrase!” Teddy yells while Rhys hollers, “God dammit, Tobi!”

Over my shoulder, I snap back, “I don’t need one if I’m alone!”

“At least we taught him safe sex,” Dad says cheerfully. No one in this house has volume control.

“But he’s still cooking in the bath!” Mom says like it physically hurts her.

“You win some, you lose some.” I don’t need to see Dad to know he’s shrugged.

“At least we don’t have to worry about unexpected pregnancy,” Mom sighs.

“You’re going to make me think about breeding Mom!” Teddy whines, and water splashes on the floor from the sounds of it.

Instead of going to the front door, I go to Teddy’s room and throw his keys on the bed, then lock myself in my room. The last place I want to be is their apartment. I’m exhausted from the constant onslaught of my family, and I want to go back to my dorm. Back to Ambrose wrapped around me to sleep, and Savage showing me I’m worth the effort.

With the door locked and the lights off, I crack open the window to let the cold air in and curl up on my bed. When did I let myself get so caught up in them? When did I let myself get so attached?

Ambrose: Did your brother die? Do I need to tell Lancelot he’s up as our goalie for the next game?

A tear rolls down my cheek as I reply.

Tobi: Lancelot is safe as the back-up for another day

Ambrose: Good. Changing goalies partway through the season sucks.

Ambrose: I have a meeting with the coaches, call you later?

Tobi: sure, sounds good.

Did I fuck up our flirting?

What I wouldn’t give to pass out into unconsciousness right now and sleep through the rest of break.

TWENTY-ONE

SAVAGE

Iknow Tobi is not doing well by the end of break. I hate that between a vacation with my mother and hockey, I’ve not been in the city at all. I don’t know how much Ambrose has been around, but I know I need to see Tobi.

I barely even drop my bags in my place before heading to Tobi’s.

Savage: I’m on my way.

Tobi: It’s so late. You have been on a ten-hour flight. You can just come over tomorrow.

Savage: I need to see you.